Gyroscopic steering mechanism for torpedoes.



FELIX ZOT'IICH, OF POLA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

GYROSCOPIC STEERING MECHANISM non TORPEDOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1914:.

Application filed October 23,1911. Serial No. 656,205.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FELIX ZOTTICH, subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing at Pola, Austria-Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gyroscopic Steering Mechanism for Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Mechanism for directing torpedoes constructed on the principle of the gyroscope to prevent friction in the movements of the vertical ring, is not directed to the distribution valve of the steering servo-motor, but is simply used for switching on currents which actuate the members governing the distribution valve.

The object of the invention is the association of the electric switches controlling the rudder actuating mechanism with the gyroscope, in such am'anner, that the friction between the moving parts is greatly reduced, sparking is prevented, the torpedo is deflected laterally when launched, if desired, and the contents are all inclosed in the jacket.

In order that my invention may be more fully understood the accompanying drawings are added, to illustrate the various features of the device.

In particular Figure l is a side view of the members provided with the improved contact arrangement with the protection jacket shown partly in section. Fig. 2 is a plan tion on line OD of Fig. 1, with current supply shown diagrammatically.

In carrying out my invention, the oscillation of the vertical ring in one direction causes the circuit to be closed and the core to be drawn against the action of a spring in one direction, while when the vertical ring oscillates in the other direction, the circuit will be broken and the solenoid core, due to the action of its spring will be caused to return to its second terminal position. The two opposite movements of the solenoid permit corresponding opposite steering oscillations.

h is the frame in which is mounted the ring system, a is the oscillating mass, 25 the view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sechorizontal ring, a the vertical ring, u the rotary distribution valve, held in the valve caslng by springs 2, and 3; g is the crankof the rotary valve 11., 5 the cylinder of the servo-motor, 4 the piston rod extending to the rods of the steering mechanism.

Hitherto in this kind of device, (see United States Patents No. 562235 and 621364) the crank g of the rotary valve u is actuated from a pin which is directly on the vertical ring a, so that the relative oscillations of the latter cause the distribution valve u to be correspondingly turned. In the present invention this direct motion is replaced by an indirect one, in the followng manner: As will be seen from the drawmg, a solenoid '0 is arranged on the frame it forming the bearings of the vertical ring a, the core 79 of which, when the current passes through it, is moved against the action of an adjustable spring 0, in the direction of the arrow 1, while when the current is bro-ken, it is brought back by the spring 0 into its position of rest determined by the abutment Z. The hook-like end of the core p embraces the pin a" of the crank q, of the rotary valve a, of the air pressure servo-motor 5, so that theoscillating movement of the solenoid core 7) causes a corresponding steering movement of the rotary valve u. The piston rod I, of the servo-motor 5, is, in the usual way connected with the rods of the side steering rudder so that the oscillations of the side steering rudder are controlled by the movements of the solenoid core p. The solenoid winding 1) is connected with a battery 8,

arranged at any desired place, in the circuit of which are inserted suitable contacts.

During the relative oscillations of the vertical ring a, around the middle position, the solenoid circuit is alternately closed and opened, and thereby the core 3? moved alternately to and fro, which causes the side steering rudder to oscillate correspondingly. In this arrangement the opposite steering pulsations will take place in quick succession, whereby the torpedo will assume almost a straight course.

Referring to the Figs. 1, 2 and 3, generally the contact strips are rigidly secured the pivot of the vertical ring a, which carries on its circumference two vertically placed semi-circular contact strlps 16, 16,

which are conductively connected together and to a pole of the electric source. The said gliding members are formed of two arms, 15, 15, which touch the contact drum 17 on both sides, and are pressed toward each other and the ends of which glide 011 the drum in heights corresponding with the positions of the two contact strips 16, 16. The two contact arms 15, 15, are carried by the disk 11 through the medium of the bracket 14:, which disk is rotatably mounted on a shaft not shown positioned in alinement with the shaft of the vertical ring a and furnished with a graduated scalel The disk 11, and thereby also the arms 15 15, are connected with the electric circuit by means of a spring 12 gliding upon the circumference of and at the same time adapted to lock the disk 11 in position.

In the normal position of the disk 11, in which the line zero of its graduated scale coincides with the stationary line 13, the contact arms 15, 15 touch the dividing line, between the contact strips 16, 16, and the insulating parts of the drum 17, and on the slightest turn of the vertical ring in one or the other directions, the current is simultaneously on or ofi at both contact arms, whereby the action described in the application is attained.

If the torpedo is to be set so as to deviate laterally when being launched, the disk is turned to the desired angle of launching whereby the division line between the switching on and the switching 03 of the current receives a corresponding movement and the direction of launching is thereby caused to deviate from the straight direction in the well, known manner. The axis of the whole of the contact device coinciding with the axis of the vertical ring a, it is possible to provide the contact device laterally with a jacket 18, without hindrance to the movability of the ring, and thus protect the same from oil and damp and render it perfectly reliable in action.

By the construction and arrangement as above described the following advantages are obtained: Owing to the central arrangements of the contacts, upon the shaft of the vertical ring and the supply of current on both sides, the pressure caused by the contact arms is reduced. The current in passing from the contact arms to the contacts, is divided, which prevents the contacts from being damaged, which are also protected bythe said jacket. The arrangement of the contacts on the shaft of the vertical ring and of the contact arms on a disk rotatable around a shaft in alinement with the shaft of the vertical ring, considerably facilitates the setting of the torpedo to deviate in a lateral direction, when being launched.

What I claim and desire to secure, is

1. In a gyroscope steering mechanism for torpedoes in which the oscillation of the vertical ring in one direction only switches on the current of a solenoid while the oscillation of the gyroscope in the other direction switches off the solenoid current, the solenoid actuating steering mechanism being thereby drawn back into the position of rest by the sole action of a spring, a contact device consisting of a drum made of insulation material, keyed upon the pivot of the vertical ring and carrying on its circumference two vertically displaced, semi-circular contact strips conductively connected together and to a pole of an electric sourceand of two contact arms touching the said drum on each side and pressed towardeach other and the ends of which glide upon the said drum at heights corresponding with the position of the said strips.

2. In a gyroscope steering mechanism for I torpedoes in which the oscillation of the vertical ring in one direction only switches on the current of a solenoid while the oscillation of the gyroscope in the other direction switches off the solenoid current, the solenoid actuating the steering mechanism being thereby drawn back into the position of rest by the sole action of a spring, a contact device consisting of a drummade of insulating material, keyed upon the pivot of the vertical ring and carrying on its circumference two vertically displaced, semi-circular contact strips conductively connected together and to a pole of an electric source and of two contact arms touching the said drum on each side and pressed toward each other, the said two contact arms being carried by a disk furnished with a graduated scale and which is rotatably mounted on a shaft situated in alinement with the shaft of the vertical ring.

3. In a gyroscope steering mechanism for torpedoes in which the oscillation of the vertical ring in one direction only switches on the current of a solenoid while the oscillation of the gyroscope in the other direction switches off the solenoid current, the solenoid actuating the steering mechanism being thereby drawn back into the position of rest by the sole action of a spring, a contact device consisting of a drum made of insulating material, keyed upon the pivot of the vertical ring and carrying on its circumference two vertically displaced semi-circular contact strips conductively connected together and to a pole of an electric source and of two the contact drum and the contact arms on the contact arms touching the said drum on each disk. 10 side and pressed toward each other, the said In testimony whereof I have affixed my two contact arms being carried by a disk fursignature in the presence of two witnesses. nished with a graduated scalerand which is FELIX ZOTTICH. rotatably mounted on a shaft situated in Witnesses: alinement with the shaft of the vertical ring, VINCENT Bnrms, in combination with a jacket surrounding MAX Oo'rRAY;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

